Which Welsh Football Players Can Lead the Next Generation?

Wales have experienced an incredible few years which included their first trip to a World Cup in Qatar 2022, their second ever qualification for the finals with their first back in 1958.

This saw the retirement of arguably their greatest ever player, Gareth Bale. The former Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton player was finishing his club career in Los Angeles FC and had arrived mid-season in 2022 to get match fitness for the World Cup.

Players alongside Bale who have been part of their successes in the past few tournaments include Aaron Ramsey, are coming towards the end of their careers and the country is beginning to look to the future stars to begin making their steps up to key roles in the national team.

Neco Williams

Part of the World Cup squad, Neco Williams left Liverpool in search of first team football and got his shot at the top flight with Nottingham Forest, although Premier League odds are suggesting this could be just the one season for the recently promoted side.

Williams is a talented right back who can also play as a wingback. He is just 22 years old so has the chance to be a key part of this Wales side going into the next few tournaments and qualification rounds.

He was signed by Nottingham Forrest for around £20 million, which shows the high regard they hold the Welsh international, who has the potential and determination to be a key figure in this Wales squad.

Brennan Johnson

Another Welshman that’s part of the Nottingham Forest side battling to stay in the Premier League is Brennan Johnson. The flying forward has bags of pace and an eye for goal which has seen him register eight goals and two assists in 30 games in his first year in the topflight.

Johnson can play centrally, or wide and former Wales defender Chris Gunter has heaped praise on the 21-year-old forward – “I know the fans love him. He is such a good player we are fortunate he is ours and we will see him in the shirt for many, many years to come and will bring some really good times.”

Rubin Colwill

The young attacker from Neath is currently plying his trade in the capital city who can play as a winger or in the number ten position just behind the striker.

He has already tallied eight caps and one goal for the national team while contributing five goals in 57 appearances for Cardiff City since his senior debut in 2021.

Colwill was added to Rob Page’s Wales Euro 2020 squad before ever having played for the senior national side and made his debut in a friendly against France. Colwill was part of the World Cup squad too and saw the final ten minutes of action against England in Qatar.

He is a talented player with the skill to unlock defences and create chances in the final third.

Luke Harris

Luke Harris has already captained the U17 Wales side and was on the standby list for the Wales squad going to the World Cup in Qatar despite only playing three times for his club side Fulham.

Just 18 years old, Harris was born in Jersey but eligible for Wales and has excited academy sides and U23 sides, most notably scoring an eleven-minute hattrick against Newcastle United U23 side in February 2022.

Harris knows how to arrive in the box dangerously and can score goals. He is a dangerous central midfielder with a particularly attacking mindset who could grow into being a huge part of the Wales side in the future.

Lewis Koumas

A surname which will be fondly remembered by Wales fans. Lewis is the son of former Welsh International Jason Koumas who retired with 33 caps and 10 goals for his country.

Lewis is grabbing plenty of attention while playing academy football for premier League giants Liverpool. He has been used in midfield areas as well as a striker with the clubs U18 side.

Born in Chester, he is eligible for both England and Wales, but it will surely only be a matter of time before he declares his path which will likely follow in his father’s footsteps.

Jordan James

Jordan James was so close to being named in the World Cup squad before minutes began to become limited at Birmingham City. Despite that, the defensive midfielder has gone on to feature in 28 games so far for his club in the English Championship.

There is a lot of excitement around the midfielder who is beginning to make a real impression at senior level and needs to find some consistency and dominant performances when given the chance at club level.

At just 19 years of age, he is still in the early stages of his career and could develop into an excellent player for Wales in the future.